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Posted Monday, 20 September, 2004 Contact: Patrice Malloy
Jacob Rotich, 27, of Kenya, running in his debut marathon, covered the seaside course in 2 hours, 28 minutes and 14 seconds. Jeannie Wokasch, 42, of Honolulu, HI, claimed her fifth Maui Marathon victory in 3:11:37. Rotich, a graduate student at Harding University in Arkansas where he won the NCAA Division II 10,000-meter title last May, put his endurance training to the test and ran uncontested throughout most of the race. Prior to today’s marathon, Rotich had never raced a distance greater than 10,000 meters. “The marathon (distance) is very challenging,” said Rotich. “At the 40K point, I thought I was not going to finish.” But finish he did, pocketing $1,500 in prize money in the process. No novice to goal-setting and homework, Rotich will finish his master’s degree in business administration this December and would like to pursue a doctorate degree. “I want to be a consultant,” said Rotich, who also has his sights set on making the 2008 Kenyan Olympic team. Greg Wenneborg of Tucson, AZ, placed second in 2:34:28 and Kota Kiriyama of Japan placed third in 2:40:15. Wenneborg won the event in 2000 and 2001.
A finisher over 25 marathons with a 2:40 personal best, Wokasch parlayed her vast marathon experience into a calculated win and $2,250 in prize money ($1,500 first woman overall and $750 first female masters finisher.) Wokasch maintained a steady pace to move up from a fourth place position, finally securing the lead at 15 miles. Both Rotich and Wokasch competed in the Maui Tacos 5K and Front Street Mile the day earlier, Rotich winning the 5K in 15:07 just 3 seconds shy of the course record and Wokasch placing second in woman overall in 18:35. A mother of three, Wokasch conserved enough energy and fun-loving attitude at the end of her races to execute what has become her signature finish-line cartwheel. “I do the cartwheel just for fun,” said Wokasch. “Running is fun.” Peggy Nelson-Panzer of Aurora, CO placed second woman in 3:19:29 and Mary Cote of Basalt, CO placed third in 3:21:53. The sold-out inaugural Maui Half Marathon debuted with a big splash with close to 1,100 participants in the scenic out-and-back course through the historic whaling village of Lahaina. “Everything went smoothly and according to plan,” said Bob Craver, race director of the Maui Marathon and Maui Half Marathon. “We will look at increasing the field for the Half next year.” Mathew Holden of Flagstaff, AZ won the men’s division in 1:09.10 and Shelly Snyder of Lahaina, HI was first female in 1:37:05. Recognized as one of the most scenic marathons in the world, the point-to-point Maui Marathon course starts in Kahului and runs along the picturesque Pacific Ocean and through of Lahaina before finishing in Whaler's Village in Kaanapaili. Over 1,700 runners from 16 countries and 48 states participated in this year's event. Complete race results can be found at www.mauimarathon.com. Top Finishers Men M1 Jonathan Lyau Women M1 Jeannie Wokasch Latest articles in Top News
> Many of the world’s best to compete at adidas Track Classic > IAAF Preview: Healthy Kidney 10K > Double-amputee runner Pistorius wins appeal to compete for spot in the Olympics |
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